Woman sues gynaecologist for childbirth injury that affected her life
A 32-year-old woman has filed a lawsuit against her former obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr Khoo Chong Kiat, claiming negligence during childbirth in 2020 caused a serious injury that has had lasting impacts on her life.
According to The Straits Times (ST), the woman, whose identity remains protected, is seeking unspecified damages from Dr Khoo, who practices at CK Khoo Clinic for Women & Laparoscopy.
The case, which began in the High Court on 4 Feb, centres around a tear in the tissue wall between the vagina and rectum that led to a rectovaginal fistula.
This condition causes bowel contents to pass into the vagina.
Childbirth injury led to complications
The woman, a first-time mother, delivered a baby girl via vaginal birth on May 3, 2020.
In her lawsuit, filed in April 2023, she claims that Dr Khoo did not inform her about a tear she sustained during childbirth before stitching it up, nor did he advise her to consult a colorectal surgeon before proceeding with treatment.

Source: Singapore Courts
As a result, she experienced faecal discharge through her vagina and period blood through her anus for several months after giving birth.
Affected ability to bond with baby
She also claims that the injury and its complications caused her postpartum depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, making it difficult to bond with her baby.
Additionally, she says the incident has affected her ability to give birth naturally, diminished her libido, and led to significant changes in her personality and quality of life.
She also claims to have had a “change of perspective regarding children, affecting the enjoyment of children”, reported ST.
Lawyers argue case in court
The woman’s lawyer, Mr Cumara Kamalacumar, argued that the injury could have been prevented if Dr Khoo had performed an emergency caesarean section (C-section) instead of proceeding with a vaginal delivery.
However, Dr Khoo’s defence, represented by Senior Counsel Kuah Boon Theng, contended that the tear subsequently breaking down and developing into a fistula was not a result of any negligence by the doctor.
Ms Kuah said Dr Khoo dealt with the tear appropriately and the woman was able to receive timely treatment from the appropriate specialists.
Each side is calling an obstetrics and gynaecology expert and a colorectal expert to testify for the trial.
A timeline of events
The woman was admitted to Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital shortly after midnight on 2 May 2020.
By 9pm that evening, her cervix was still barely dilated. According to the woman, the doctor widened her cervix with his fingers, which caused her to go into labour.
However, by 7.30am the following morning, she was only dilated to 4cm. She then messaged the doctor, mentioning that her mother had faced a similar issue and had required an emergency C-section.
At about 9.20am, the woman claims that the doctor examined her and recommended the procedure, which she consented to. However, the doctor disagrees, stating that he only discussed the possibility of a C-section.
According to the woman, after the nurse left the delivery suite, the doctor manually dilated her cervix to 10cm.
Upon the nurse’s return, the doctor allegedly instructed her to cancel the C-section and prepare for a vaginal delivery.
The doctor denies this, asserting that he did not perform any procedures on the woman’s cervix.
A nurse instructed the woman to begin pushing. Around 10.30am, the doctor returned to the delivery suite and was informed by the nurses that the baby was crowning. The baby was delivered at 10.35am.
Experienced faecal discharge from vagina
According to Dr Khoo, he had informed the woman of a small tear that required repair before he proceeded to stitch it.
However, the woman claims she was not informed of the tear and believed that the stitching was a standard part of the post-delivery procedure.
She was discharged on 4 May, but by the evening of 5 May, the woman contacted the doctor, reporting faecal discharge from her vagina.
The following morning, the doctor diagnosed her with a rectovaginal fistula and referred her to a colorectal specialist.
Her condition worsened that day, prompting a visit to the Singapore General Hospital’s A&E department. She was eventually able to undergo repair surgery at SGH on 28 October 2020.
The woman is now seeking compensation for loss of future earnings, reduced earning capacity, future medical expenses, and punitive damages.
Also read: Woman in Thailand experiences pain for 18 years due to needle left in genital during childbirth
Woman in Thailand experiences pain for 18 years due to needle left in genital during childbirth
Have news you must share? Get in touch with us via email at news@mustsharenews.com.
Featured image adapted from Singapore Courts & Africa images on Canva for illustration purposes.
Article written by:

- Related Articles
- More From Author